17/12/04
Sport and Recreation Minister Bob Kucera today unveiled a program targeting youth, disadvantaged and at-risk children using Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) camps and Police and Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC).
A $10million upgrade of four DSR camps and funding of $500,000 to Police and Citizens clubs across the State underpin the program.
“I am moving to have Government agencies and the community work together to help target young people who could benefit from skills programs and sporting activities,” Mr Kucera said.
“The program will involve various Government departments like Community Development, Department of Sport and Recreation, Justice and the WA Police Service coming together with community groups to deliver activities, counselling and advice to young people.
“The plan is to offer after school, school holiday and intensive programs for youth from the DSR school camps, complemented by the strong positive influence that the PCYC’s have in local areas.
“My premise is that a kid on the court is a kid out of court.”
The Minister said accommodation and other facilities at the DSR camps at Hillarys, Point Walter, Woodman Point and Quaranup near Albany would undergo significant upgrades over the next three years.
“These camps promote physical activity and offer high quality recreation experiences including abseiling, climbing, adventure activities, bush walking, canoeing, flying fox, team building, and high and low ropes courses,” Mr Kucera said.
“Improving the physical facilities at the camps will provide low cost adventure camps and accommodation to a wide range of community groups, schools, educational and religious groups for physical activity programs in a safe and nurtured environment.”
The 26 PCYCs across the State would be helped to deliver improved services with a total grant of $501,000.
“This money will give these charitable clubs the chance to fund more events and activities, upgrade their computer systems and provide more equipment,” Mr Kucera said.
“Each club will receive $13,500 to use in these areas and the PCYC Council of Management will receive $150,000 to upgrade the facilities it administers.
“What this means is that important PCYC projects in local suburbs will be given a boost as part of this Government’s program to increase physical activity among young people and provide ways to divert kids from criminal activity.”
Midland MLA Michelle Roberts said PCYC played a leading role in giving children a supportive environment and an avenue to help police deliver a broad range of crime prevention messages and initiatives.
She said it was also important to show children there were activities that had physical and wider benefits in an increasingly sedentary lifestyle.
“Sport has the power to build a child’s self esteem and offer them the opportunity to have fun and interact socially in a positive way,” the Minister said.
PCYC is one of the biggest recreational organisations in the State that caters specifically for young people. Each club has its own management committee and is governed by a Council of Management, chaired by the Commissioner of Police.
Minister's office: 9213 7000
